Disturbed

Biography

Disturbed is an American heavy metal band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1994. The band was originally called Brawl and consisted of guitarist Dan Donegan, drummer Mike Wengren, bassist Steve "Fuzz" Kmak, and vocalist Erich Awalt. After Awalt's departure, the band hired singer David Draiman in 1996 and changed their name to Disturbed.

Musical Career

The Sickness (2000)

Disturbed's debut album, The Sickness, was released on March 7, 2000. The album was a commercial success, reaching number 29 on the Billboard 200 and has been certified 5x platinum in the US. It featured some of their most iconic songs, including "Down with the Sickness" and "Stupify". Despite its eventual success, the album was not an instant hit and required a significant promotional push.

Mainstream Success (2002–2010)

Following their debut, Disturbed released a string of successful albums that solidified their place in the hard rock scene. In 2002, they released Believe, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. After the tour for Believe, bassist Steve Kmak was fired due to "personality differences" and was replaced by John Moyer in 2004. The band's next three albums, Ten Thousand Fists (2005), Indestructible (2008), and Asylum (2010), all debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. This made them one of only three rock bands, alongside Metallica and Dave Matthews Band, to achieve four consecutive number one debuts. The song "Inside the Fire" from Indestructible earned the band their first Grammy nomination.

Hiatus and Return (2011–2015)

In October 2011, Disturbed went on a hiatus to allow members to focus on side projects. During this time, David Draiman formed the band Device, while Dan Donegan and Mike Wengren started Fight or Flight, and John Moyer joined Adrenaline Mob. The band secretly reunited in early 2014 to begin writing and recording a new album.

Immortalized and "The Sound of Silence" (2015)

Disturbed announced the end of their hiatus in June 2015 with the release of their sixth album, Immortalized, in August of that year. The album became their fifth consecutive to debut at number one on the Billboard 200. A standout track from the album was a cover of Simon & Garfunkel's "The Sound of Silence". The cover was a massive crossover hit, reaching number 42 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning the band a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Performance. Paul Simon himself endorsed the cover, praising Draiman's performance.

Recent Work (2018–Present)

The band followed up with the album Evolution in 2018, which showcased a more varied sound and debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200. Their eighth studio album, Divisive, was released on November 18, 2022, and marked a return to their heavier, earlier sound. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of their debut, the band embarked on "The Sickness 25th Anniversary Tour" in early 2025.

Musical Style and Members

Disturbed is generally classified as heavy metal, hard rock, and alternative metal, with their early work often labeled as nu metal. The band's current lineup consists of David Draiman (vocals), Dan Donegan (guitar), John Moyer (bass), and Mike Wengren (drums). Donegan and Wengren are the only remaining original members.